The Michigan coaching staff has hit the recruiting trail hard since the end of the regular season. Though the Wolverines are gearing up for a Sugar Bowl matchup against Virginia Tech on Jan. 3, the coaches have made time to get out on the road to visit prospects.

While much of their time is spent wrapping up the 2012 recruiting class, they have also been able to drop by schools of junior prospects. While they can't speak at length to the players themselves, the coaches have made their presence known. On Thursday, head coach Brady Hoke and linebackers coach Mark Smith stopped by Pickerington (Ohio) Central, the home of junior defensive end Taco Charlton.

Charlton has heard from Michigan before. He received good news from the Wolverines in September, when they became the first staff to send him an unofficial scholarship offer. The 6-6, 240-pound Charlton provides the explosive movement they want in a defensive lineman - as evidenced by his 4.8-second 40-yard dash time. That's impressive speed for a player his size.

Earlier this fall, Charlton was planning to trim his list of schools under consideration once his junior season on the gridiron came to an end. Pickerington Central extended their season as far as possible. The Tigers made it all the way to the Division-1 state championship game, but couldn't quite bring home the title faling to Cleveland St. Ignatius 34-13.

After a heartbreaking end to a solid junior campaign, Charlton shifted his focus to the basketball court. Instead of dealing with the recruiting process, he has concerned himself with performance on the hardwood. Early returns on that are good.

Charlton plans to take the recruiting process slowly - at least until basketball season is over. With a busy winter schedule, Charlton doesn't know when he'll make it back to Michigan. He is planning to take some official visits next fall before making a college commitment.